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    Downtown Cafe by JL

    4.1 (307 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    DOWNTOWN CAFE BY JL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Mom's birthday brunch
    Stephany R A.

    This place has a very nice selection of Mexican breakfast, the place is nicely decorated it feels very fresh the food is plated beautifully. I just wish the food was a bit better, the salsas dont have spice and are very sour, the beans honestly were not it at all either old or from a can. The oj and horchata are overly sweet.. the service was great and our server was amazing. Over all the experience was okay. And something I do find a little silly is they charge a party fee even if majority of the party are young children. In all honesty I dont think this is a place for me. But maybe for you?

    Menu
    Miguel A.

    Came by after church for breakfast no wait which was awesome . Our whole table got chilaquiles. I got the divorced chilaquiles. They were actually really delicious . I enjoyed the green salsa more than the red . Also the orange juice is freshly squeezed . Amazing . Price is just a bit expensive .

    Waffle
    Belle B.

    We stopped in on our way through for a quick bite and boy were we impressed. It's a cute cafe with super friendly and welcoming staff. Luckily we were able to be seated pretty quickly (partly because it was a sprinkly day and partly because the church crowd had not arrived just yet) but there was a wait right after we were seated. Surprisingly in the blink of an eye our dishes arrived at our table. I couldn't believe how fast the service was. My dining companion inhaled his food (I guess someone was starving or something) and he said the machaca was REALLY good. He is usually a chilequillas guy but I guess it was a machaca kind of day. He actually said he wanted to go back next time we are in the area to try other things (including the chilequillas). I got the waffle. It was a little pricy for just a waffle (I didn't get the deluxe waffle with the churros) but the waffle was light and fluffy. It was nice and crispy and it was a big enough waffle that I shared with my dining companion. My partner also got coffee. The service was so good that his cup was never dry. At first the waitress kept coming by to fill his cup before she brought him an insulated carafe full of hot coffee to keep him happy. She also left more than enough creamer. Overall, we loved this place. The atmosphere was great, food was delicious and the service was top notch. I highly recommend this place if you are ever in the area.

    Lavender Latte

    Fast and Very Friendly Service. Everyone was nice and welcoming, let me pick where i wanted to sit for just a party of one. Music was comfortable and held a great vibe, not too loud or too quiet. Food was brought out hot and quickly, and presentation was beautiful. (The Latte as well!) Will definitely come back next time im in Oxnard again :)

    Soni N.

    We decided to come check out downtown and stop for some brunch. We enjoyed the outside seating. The waitress was very patient and kind and helped us choose are amazing meals. I got the Nutella crepes that my son ended up eating most of and he got the flight of pancakes with three different toppings (Oreo , Nutella and chocolate) they were all a 10/10.

    Our busser Alex and server Adri were wonderful this morning. Our meal was super yummy and their homemade cinnamon roll was far better than I expected. Highly recommend. As we were eating our food, we were watching other dishes being brought out to guests and the presentation was amazing for each dish. Super impressed and I will definitely be coming back again to try more things from their menu.

    Mazapan pancakes
    Matthew C.

    My daughter was excited to visit this spot after a long day of shopping at the outlets. They have a nice little spot tucked right in downtown Oxnard. They have a great menu with a huge variety of different breakfast options, sandwiches, Mexican food entrees, all kinds of dishes. I wasn't really hungry (with that being said, don't judge the amount of food I got ) I ordered the birria de jugo and I'm so glad I did. Amazing! I loved everything about it! Slightly spicy broth with incredible flavor and big nice chunks of tender meat, so good I also ordered a short stack of the mazapan pancakes. Super good, cooked perfectly. Great service, excellent food. I'll definitely stop by next time I'm passing through, or even making a special trip to visit, this spot is definitely worth it! Remember to show up early as they close early.

    Chorizo, potatoes, beans, guacamole, tortillas, eggs
    Michelle M.

    It was my first time here and I had a great experience. The ambiance is great along with the music playing in the background. Our server was attentive. We went for breakfast during the week and so it wasn't busy. We ordered the 2x2 breakfast, which included 2 pancakes, eggs, bacon and the house potatoes. We also ordered the special of the day, which was chorizo with their rosemary potatoes, beans, tortillas and guacamole. The food was delicious and the portions were good, not too much and not too little.

    Churros w/Tres Leches
    Nina R.

    We popped in here because Tacos El Diablo stopped carrying their incredible churro donuts, and we really really wanted churros. Yelp led us to downtown cafe and we were really looking forward to dessert. Service was prompt and attentive, and the restaurant was clean (albeit empty). And we soon realized why it was empty. I've had better churros from the Costco food court. And the funnel cake was really bad - soggy, tasteless, disappointing. Would not recommend. Would not return.

    Mark L.

    My wife and I were craving breakfast and had always been curious about Downtown Café in downtown Oxnard. Finally, on a weekday, we decided to give it a try. The place is nice, with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. The menu is extensive, offering a wide range of options for both breakfast and lunch. We already knew what we wanted to try. I love pancakes and country fried steak, so that's what I ordered. My wife, who loves waffles and crepes, decided to get the Downtown Waffle as it caught her eye. I got the country fried steak with a side of fries and a side of chocolate chip pancakes. My wife loved her dish. She said it was delicious and generously sized, especially enjoying the churros on top of the waffle. As for me, the pancakes were perfect--big, fluffy, sweet, and delicious, just the way I like them. The country fried steak, however, was just okay. I thought it was a bit small, and the coating was too thick, leaving not enough meat. Still, the gravy was quite good. Overall, Downtown Café is a nice option for breakfast or brunch in Oxnard and worth a try for anyone who loves pancakes, waffles, or any sweet breakfast dishes. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying one of their burgers someday.

    Downtown Combo

    Been to Downtown Cafe a couple of times now and it's always been really good. I like the waffles! food came pretty quick, was hot, tasted great. Service was quick and attentive. Coffee was kept full.

    Evelyn C.

    The cafe de olla was 9.5/10! Only reason I didn't give it a 10 because it was a tad bit too sweet for my liking, but I do usually drink my coffee black so it will probably be perfect for any other person. The rosemary house potatoes were amazing! The concha that came with my coffee, amazing! The meat lovers skillet and chorizo tacos were also delicious! Definitely recommend. Next time I am definitely trying their chavelas because they looked like that would be 10/10!

    Guava and Cheese pastry
    Monique R.

    It is so hot in this establishment! It's very uncomfortable, and so hard to be able to eat while feeling this hot. There's also flies inside. Which gets really annoying while you're trying to eat and swatting at flies while also trying to fan yourself. The food is ok. The bacon is very thin, and the pancakes are not very fluffy. Aside from that, I enjoyed the eggs and love the heavily seasoned potatoes. The guava and cheese pastry was also pretty good. Not too sweet or heavy. The staff is always very friendly, but I can tell they're hot as well. It cannot be fun to work in that environment. I probably won't return until it's colder outside, if I do.

    Two tamales with rice and beans

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    3 months ago

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    8 months ago

    This place has great breakfast, but they close at 2. I walked by during the evening, do they now have extended hours?

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Ordered the taco salad two days ago and have had horrendous food poisoning since. Don't order any salads from here.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Great food and fast service. The employees are very nice, friendly and attentive. Great atmosphere to enjoy your food with family.

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    4 years ago

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    11 months ago

    Great! The Nopales and eggs reminded me of mom's. The meal came very quick and was fresh. Will be back,for sure.

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    1 year ago

    I ordered the chilaquiles from here and they were so good! I went back a week after and got them again haha

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    10 months ago

    Great breakfast and lunch. The café de olla is fantastic. Friendly and helpful staff. Everything is well done

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    The staff is very friendly, and they have amazing food. There's a chai latte on their menu that I highly recommend!

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    Page 2 of 8

    Downtown Cafe by JL Reviews in Other Languages

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    Ventura Sandwich Company
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    BBQ Worth Fighting Over at Smokin Jay's BBQ & Coffee from Potheads Coffee…read more My wife and I recently stopped by Smokin Jay's BBQ and paired it with a visit to Potheads Coffee, and it turned into one of those meals you end up talking about long after you leave. From the first bite, it was clear this spot takes their BBQ seriously. Entrées: We started by ordering a brisket plate, which came with about 1/4 lb of brisket, roughly six solid pieces, along with macaroni salad and baked beans. Our original plan was to share, but that quickly changed after the first few bites. The brisket was tender, flavorful, and cooked just right with that perfect balance of smoke and juiciness. It didn't take long before we realized sharing wasn't going to cut it. So my wife went back up and ordered a brisket sando with fries, and it absolutely delivered. The sandwich came loaded with brisket, pickles, slaw, and sauce, all working together perfectly. The fries were a great side, crispy and a solid pairing with the sandwich. Sides: The macaroni salad and baked beans that came with the plate were both on point. The mac salad was creamy and complemented the richness of the brisket, while the baked beans added that sweet and savory depth you want with BBQ. Sandwich Details: The sando really stood out, especially with the addition of the slaw. My wife usually isn't a fan of coleslaw, but this one changed things a bit. It wasn't overpowering and added a nice crunch and balance to the sandwich, tying everything together without taking away from the brisket. Drinks and Service: Grabbing coffee from Potheads Coffee alongside the meal was the perfect move. What really stood out, though, was the service. Jay, the owner, was walking around checking in on customers and genuinely engaging with everyone. He even helped my wife decide on a coffee based on what she usually orders at Starbucks, which was a great personal touch. He later stopped by our table, chatted with us for a bit, and made the whole experience feel welcoming and personal. Ambience: The atmosphere strikes a great balance between laid back and lively. It has that casual, welcoming BBQ spot feel where you can relax, enjoy your food, and not feel rushed. Pairing it with Potheads Coffee adds to the experience, making it feel like more than just a meal but a spot you can hang out and enjoy. Overall: Smokin Jay's BBQ is hands down the best BBQ spot I've had in Ventura County so far. Between the quality brisket, well put together sides, standout sandwiches, and the personal touch from the owner, it's an easy recommendation. Pair it with Potheads Coffee, and you've got yourself a top tier Ventura food stop that's definitely worth coming back to.

    Photos
    View from outside the restroom on the parking lot side in back. Great place.
    View from outside the restroom on the parking lot side in back. Great place.
    Brisket Burnt Ends & Tri tip plate (take out)
    Brisket Burnt Ends & Tri tip plate (take out)
    Strips again no sauce

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    Strips again no sauce

    Downtown Cafe by JL - breakfast_brunch - Updated June 2026

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